Experts have been debating the topic of decolonisation for a considerable time. Due to colonial power structures, which continue to exist until today, corresponding hierarchies and inequalities are also reflected within tourism practices, such as in "voluntourism" (tourism offers for volunteer work). However, solution-oriented approaches to decolonization are still lacking in tourism research. In her article "Pragmatic arguments for decolonising tourism praxis in Africa", Maureen Ayikoru focuses on the practical implementation of decolonization in African tourism, thereby contributing to the expansion of the current scientific discussion.
Ayikoru argues how the objectification and misrepresentation of indigenous people can be overcome by actively including the voices and perspectives of indigenous communities in tourism development. In particular, the author emphasizes the need for greater representation of Africans not only in the role of producers but also as consumers of tourism experiences. This requires a comprehensive re-evaluation and integration of historical, socio-cultural and spiritual values. As practical measures to promote decolonization, Ayikoru recommends the strengthening of domestic and regional tourism as well as the development of specific tourism offers that explicitly address Africans as the main target group and take into account the diversity of the continent. These strategies are particularly relevant in the context of the drastic decline in international tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic and underline the economic potential for the expansion of domestic and regional tourism. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could be utilized to enable greater freedom of mobility and travel for the particularly young population on the African continent.
Deep-rooted colonial mentalities mean that this decolonisation process will be long and complex, including possible rejection by Africans themselves, the author explains. Further discussions and empirical research are required to develop strategies for decolonising African tourism and to evaluate how key actors react to possible changes. Overall, the article makes an important contribution to the decolonisation debate by highlighting the need for practical implementation and as well the challenges that come with it.